Order Poduromorpha

The Poduromorpha (Order Poduromorpha) includes 50 species across 7 families and 32 genera in our directory.

About Poduromorpha

Poduromorpha is an order of elongated springtails with ~3,400 described species. Many species are among the few arthropods found in extreme environments - they inhabit Antarctic ice, deep caves, and high-altitude snowfields.

Economic Impact

Snow fleas (Hypogastrura nivicola) contain antifreeze proteins being researched for medical applications including organ preservation and ice cream manufacturing to prevent ice crystal formation.

Ecological Role

Poduromorphan springtails are important decomposers in soil surface layers. Some cave-dwelling species are completely depigmented and eyeless, having adapted to total darkness over millions of years. They are key food sources for ground beetles and spiders.

Families in Poduromorpha (7)

Species in Poduromorpha (50)

Ceratophysella pratorum

Hypogastruridae

Identification: anal spines long, curved, placed on stout papillae ―Frans Janssens

Hypogastrura harveyi

Hypogastruridae

Identification: 1+1 setae on the 'area verticalis' of the head • long anal spines • long setae on posterior margin of abdominal segments 4 & 5 • long antennae, a bit longer then the head diagonal • knobbed basal antennal segments, followed by 2 tubul

Morulodes ambiguus

Neanuridae

Identification: "Note on abd.4 that the dorso-internal tubercles are fused. Which is typical in ambiguus. In its close relatives serratus and setosus the dorso-internal tubercles are not fused." (as per comment from Frans Janssens here )

Schaefferia duodecimocellata

Hypogastruridae

Identification: This species has 6+6 eyes ―Frans Janssens

Schoettella ununguiculata

Hypogastruridae

Identification: Gray or black. Ocelli 8+8. Description

Snow flea

Hypogastrura nivicola

Hypogastruridae

Identification: differences between H. nivicola and H. harveyi :

Water Springtail

Podura aquatica

Poduridae

Identification: Although it can be confused at first with some other semi-aquatic hypogastrurids it can easily be distinguished by the very long arms or dentes of the pincerlike jumping organ or furca. Juveniles are orange; adults are bluish with re